Infection causes Ankylosing Spondylitis
Thanks to brankica for this quote:
Thanks to jcwinnie for this quote:
Quote from strutsy:
"Several papers support an infectious cause for ankylosing spondylitis. People with ankylosing spondylitis are more likely to have genital (20) or intestinal symptoms (19) or infections with mycoplasma, chlamydia and ureaplasma (1). Virtually all patients have ulcers or changes in their gut similar to those seen in Crohn's disease (2,20,21,22). Sufferers often have high blood levels of IGG and IGA antibodies that the body produces to kill Klebsiella bacteria which normally live in the intestines of healthy people (3,4,5,5A,17,24,25). Living with a person with ankylosing spondylitis increases your risk for developing the disease (6). "
from: http://www.drmirkin.com/joints/J103.htm
from: http://www.drmirkin.com/joints/J103.htm
Thanks to jcwinnie for this quote:
"A more severe form of spinal arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rare complication. In addition to causing arthritis of the spine and sacroiliac joints, ankylosing spondylitis can cause inflammation of the eyes, lungs, and heart valves. The cause of AS is not known, but most affected individuals share a common genetic marker. In some cases, the disease occurs in these predisposed people after exposure to bowel or urinary tract infections. Occasionally, AS may foretell the development of inflammatory bowel disease. AS typically strikes adolescents and young adult males, usually appearing first as a dramatic loss of flexibility in the lower spine. Rehabilitation therapy is essential to help maintain joint flexibility. But even with optimal treatment, some people will develop a stiff or "ankylosed" spine. It is not always easy to determine whether the arthritis is connected with the intestinal condition. In general, the arthritis that complicates IBD is not usually as severe as in rheumatoid arthritis. The joints do not ordinarily undergo destructive changes, and joint involvement is not symmetric. Except for ankylosing spondylitis, arthritis associated with IBD usually improves as intestinal symptoms improve." (Emphasis is mine) -- Extraintestinal Complications of IBD: Arthritis
Quote from strutsy:
"Infective or septic arthritis occurs most commonly after a bacteremic seeding of the affected joint from an extra-articular site of infection. The big offenders here are Neiserra gonorrheae (due to disseminated gonococcal infection NOT the same as Chlamydia reactive arthritis) and gram positive cocci (predominantly normal skin microflora). The organisms are actually present in the joint/synovium, and the patient requires antibiotics to eliminate the organism.
Reactive arthritis is most commonly talked about as a result of Chlamydia trachomatis infections although other organisms can cause it as well. The theory is that the offending organism shows a similarity to HLA-B27 antigen, and, after spurs the immune system to attack 'self' as 'nonself'. The organism is NOT present in the affected joints and the arthritis usually runs a self-limiting course of 3 - 12 months (although the Chlamydia still needs to be treated regardless). "
source: http://kickas.bctravel.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=190032
NB: Dragonslayer responded by saying that Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type of Reactive Arthritis - KRA (Klebsiella Reactive Arthritis). Which I totally agree with.
Reactive arthritis is most commonly talked about as a result of Chlamydia trachomatis infections although other organisms can cause it as well. The theory is that the offending organism shows a similarity to HLA-B27 antigen, and, after spurs the immune system to attack 'self' as 'nonself'. The organism is NOT present in the affected joints and the arthritis usually runs a self-limiting course of 3 - 12 months (although the Chlamydia still needs to be treated regardless). "
source: http://kickas.bctravel.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=190032
NB: Dragonslayer responded by saying that Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type of Reactive Arthritis - KRA (Klebsiella Reactive Arthritis). Which I totally agree with.
